DEFENCE
Boeing
takes over
Skyfox
marketing
WICHITA ~
The Boeing Military Airplane
Company has started a
market survey to ascertain the
level of interest in the Skyfox
modification of the T-33
trainer. A decision to proceed
with the programme will be
made after BMAC determines
whether a sufficient customer
order base is available.
Skyfox, originally devel
oped by Flight Concepts Inc,
started flight-test in August
1983. The Skyfox is basically
a T-33 re-engined with two
Garrett TFE 731-3A turbo-
fans, and with improved air
frame structures and aero
dynamics, modern avionics,
and an updated cockpit.
BMAC sees Skyfox applica
tions in proficiency and lead-
in fighter training, electronic
warfare training, recon
naissance, target towing, and
maritime patrol. Light ground
attack and forward air control
are also suggested.
In early 1985 BMAC began
testing and evaluating the
Skyfox, and Boeing holds an
exclusive Flight Concepts
licence to produce the aircraft.
The marketing effort is aimed
at current T-33 operators
including the USA, Canada,
Greece, Portugal, and South
Korea. If BMAC decides to go
ahead with Skyfox develop
ment, two production options
will be considered: installa
tion of Boeing-supplied
Skyfox kits by the user, or
conversion by Boeing in the
USA.
USAF studies
robots for
NBC
tin mounds
WRIGHT-PATTERSON ~
The United States Air
Force Aeronautical Systems
Division has awarded the
Battelle Memorial Institute of
Columbus, Ohio, a $278,000
contract to study the
feasibility of robots to service
aircraft in nuclear, biological,
chemical (NBC) contamina
tion.
Standard NBC protective
clothing is bulky and hot to
wear and hinders dexterity,
agility, visibility, and verbal
communications. Robotic
flightline crews would not be
affected by biological or
chemical threats, and would
be hardened against radio
active contamination. The
robots could be totally pre
programmed autonomous,
The radical Skyfox conversion of the 1940s Lockheed T-33
Britain buys Banshee
Target Technology Limited's BTT-3 Banshee aerial target
system has entered service with the British Army as an
interim target for the Short's Blowpipe and Javelin shoulder-
launched missile systems.
The Banshee is now in operation with Canada, Egypt,
Oman, and the UK, and has been used by Abu Dhabi, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The system is seen above
providing a target for the Egyptian Army's Amoun system,
which is the Skyguard radar, 35mm cannon and Sparrow
Sam, combination.
semi-autonomous, or tele-
controlled.
Most tele-operated robots
are dumb (as opposed to smart
robots with complex feedback
systems, computer control,
and artificial intelligence) but
have good "eyesight" and
strong "arms". Dumb robots
are operated by humans using
remote control equipment
with vision and feel feed
back. Such robots are already
used in hazardous industrial
environments, such as inside
nuclear reactors.
The two-year Battelle study
will concentrate on using
robots for rapid turnround of
tactical aircraft, including
such functions as post-flight
inspection, minor repair and
re-inspection, and refuelling
and rearming.
CASUALTIES
• A United States Air Force
McDonnell Douglas RF-4E
Phantom crashed into the sea
off RAF Brawdy, Wales,
while participating in the
coastal base's air show on
July 24. Both crew were
killed.
• An Israeli Air Force
General Dynamics F-16
Fighting Falcon crashed in
early July while practising an
aerobatic display for an IAF
pilot graduation ceremony.
• A United States Marine
Corps Bell UH-1 Iroqouis
crashed into the sea from
USS Tarawa on July 10. The
accident occurred 300 n.m.
east of Japan's Hokkaido
Island during a night take
off. The three crew are
missing.
• A Belgian Air Force Fouga
CM.170 Magister of 10 Wing
crashed at Overijse on July
14. The pilot was killed.
According to witnesses the
aircraft was performing a
tight turn.
TRACER
Lockheed Aircraft Service
Company has received a one-
year $20-8 million US Navy
contract to convert two P-3E
Orions into EP-3 Elint vari
ants. The contract contains
three one-year options on ten
more aircraft.
Boeing Military Airplane
Company has been awarded
a $152 million follow-on
contract for KC-135R re-
engining, covering 47 kits and
including four for the French
Air Force. BMAC has deliv
ered 58 KC-135Rs to date,
and is contracted for another
109.
Ferranti is to supply 20
Airborne Link 11 Data
Terminals for the German
Navy's Sea King Mk41
update programme.
FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 9 August 1986 11